Schwinn releases new electric bike
Now, for the greenest drivetrain of all, a human-electric hybrid. Not the first, mind you, but one of three new ones from Schwinn. The Campus, World GSE and Continental models are all electric-assisted bicycles, ranging between a modest (hah!) $1,499-$1,999. They come with 21- and 24-speed transmissions for your legs, and a 24V 400W electric hub motor in the front wheel, controlled by a throttle on the handlebar, which itself can propel the bike up to 18 mph. Range from the easily removable lithium-ion battery on the rear rack is rated at about 60 miles per charge, depending on wind, terrain and load, and takes 4 hours to recharge - something one could easily do at the office, if needed.
It's said that the electric motor feels as though someone is giving you a push - disorienting at first, but once one is used to it, feels less like exercise and more like sight-seeing. The 'hybrid drivetrain' - minus you - weighs only 10 pounds, and the bike itself is engineered to be extremely light-weight. Definitely more of a cruiser and less of a performance tourer, the Campus model (as tested by the Chicago Sun-Times) could easily eliminate the need to burn anything but calories on a large percentage of your errands or work commutes in cooperative weather. Given that range, and you doing half the work pedaling, I'd estimate you would get at least 140 miles per latte. Currently the only store stocking these bikes (in the Chicago area, at least) is My Bike of Tinley Park, but other dealers should be receiving them in the next few months.
[Source: Schwinn via Chicago Sun-Times]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
dawn jones 11:34AM (9/29/2008)
My bike now weighs only 25 lbs. What would the total weight be on the lightest electric bike that you have? I understand that the lithium batteries are 6-10 lbs but the motor can bring the total weight up to 20 lbs.
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Bill S. 10:19PM (6/24/2007)
Not to mention - the $2000 model is a shaft drive.
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Joseph 3:27AM (6/25/2007)
Thye're not gonna sell at those prices!
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Bob Seeley 4:00AM (6/25/2007)
And to think I was worried about my $300 Schwinn getting stolen .
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Tim 10:28AM (6/25/2007)
There are a lot of kits out there to electrify your own bike and they are much less expensive. However, it is very nice to see major manufacturers join in on the EV craze. In a word... “synergy”! In a phrase… “economy of scale”!
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Brian Poncin 6:56PM (6/28/2007)
This bike is truly amazing! I'm 5'8" 175 pounds. I have ridden it close to 40 miles so far and it still doesn't need a charge. It needs a more comfortable seat but other than that it's worth every penny! The revolution has begun.
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